Julia Reece

Assistant ProfessorSedimentology, sediment mechanics

Research Interests

My research program focuses on understanding the mechanics and flow behavior of mudstones. I am particularly interested in subsurface fluid flow and controls on permeability and compressibility in marine sediments. In addition, I also study transport behavior and diagenesis in shale reservoirs. My group uses field samples and data and employs a suite of laboratory techniques to pursue these research interests including sedimentological and geotechnical experimentation (grain size, Atterberg Limits, resedimentation, uniaxial compression tests). We also use imaging techniques like petrography and scanning electron microscopy to analyze microstructures of mudstones.

Sediment Mechanics:

Stresses and pressures in the subsurface, and hence subsurface fluid flow, are of high interest to my research group. We seek to understand how particle size, particle shape, (clay) mineralogy, microorganisms, microfossils, and organic matter affect the mechanical and transport behavior of mudstones and how these physical properties are related to each other. One ongoing project is the study of microorganisms and their role in early diagenesis and subsequent influence on reservoir development. Another new project is investigating the role of microfossils in the consolidation process of mudstones with implications in slope instability.

Mudrocks / Unconventional reservoirs:

An important aspect of my research involves studying mass transport behavior and diagenesis in tight mudrocks such as shale oil/gas reservoirs. One current project is on the effect of diagenesis on rock consolidation behavior. This information is critical for basin modeling but also for petroleum systems analyses, in which consolidation models are used to predict reservoir and seal quality through time. My group uses field samples and a suite of sedimentological laboratory techniques such as petrographical analyses and scanning electron microscopy to analyze microstructures and flow behavior of mudrocks.